The five-party meeting on Cyprus, held in New York and concluding at midnight on Thursday (July 17), failed to produce any substantial progress on core issues.

Much like the previous round in Geneva this past March, the New York summit was limited to discussions on low-level political matters and Confidence Building Measures (CBMs). UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed disappointment, stating that he had expected more, while acknowledging the differing approaches of the two sides.

Upcoming High-Level Meetings and Timeline Amid Political Deadlock

Following the talks, the UN Secretary-General announced that a trilateral meeting between himself, President Nikos Christodoulides, and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar will be held during the UN High-Level Week in September. An informal five-party meeting is also scheduled to take place before the end of the year.

The commitment to another five-party summit after the elections in the occupied north—scheduled for October 19—is the most tangible outcome of the New York meeting. This suggests that dialogue remains alive, regardless of the electoral outcome in the north.

Progress on CBMs: Checkpoints and Technical Initiatives

Guterres did, however, refer to some progress on CBMs agreed upon during the Geneva meeting in March. Out of six initiatives agreed by both leaders at that time, four have been implemented:

• Formation of a Technical Committee on Youth

• Joint environmental and climate change initiatives

• Restoration of cemeteries

• Ongoing technical detailing for a demining agreement

Further discussions will continue on pending matters such as the opening of four new crossing points and the development of solar energy projects in the buffer zone.

According to Guterres, both leaders also agreed to:

• Establish a joint advisory body for civil society participation

• Exchange cultural artifacts

• Launch an initiative for monitoring air quality and tackling microplastic pollution

Crossings: Stalemate

According to Christodoulides, the Greek Cypriot side accepted Turkish Cypriot proposals to open crossings at Mia Milia and Louroujina, now awaiting a response from the Turkish side. He added that while there was progress regarding the Athienou–Aglantzia crossing, the Turkish side could not yet finalize any decisions due to the need for military approval—this also applies to the Kokkina crossing.

Personal Envoy's Role Continues

The UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus will continue her mission, focusing on bringing both sides closer through further CBMs. Her efforts are expected to intensify in the coming months as groundwork for future substantive negotiations continues.